(2) when he will reply to question 111814, on academy and foundation schools, tabled by the hon. Member for Brent East on 23 January 2007.
Officials in the Department for Education and Skills had preliminary discussions with two companies based primarily outside the United Kingdom back in 2005. They were keen to sponsor several academies in England but have since decided to withdraw from the proposal.
Officials in the Department for Education and Skills have discussed supporting foundation schools with foundations (trust schools) with a wide range of organisations, including some based primarily outside the United Kingdom. Microsoft Ltd are confirmed as a partner for one of the trust school pathfinder schools. However the Department does not hold a comprehensive list of every organisation that has expressed an early interest or asked for information about forming a foundation to support a school.